Interlocking modular product delivery system

Abstract

A product display and delivery system comprising modular, disposable, product-filled cartridges fitted with a plurality of external fastener devices, positioned in a unique arrangement, which enables the cartridges to be releasably joined in a plurality of different orientations relative to one another, including orientations in which a cartridge is rotated 180 degrees relative to the other cartridges of the product display. The positioning of the fastener devices also enables the releasable joining of cartridges having different depths and the releasable joining of cartridges to a stabilizing system which extends beneath a first row of cartridges to reduce movement of the cartridges relative to a surface on which the cartridges rest. In accordance with a preferred apparatus, each cartridge is created from two elongated, rectangular, interlocking sleeves positioned with the first sleeve residing inside the second sleeve. A plurality of hook and loop type fastener devices are affixed to the outer surface of each cartridge and overlap cartridge edges which are defined by a cartridge's adjoining wall segments. The fastener devices are positioned along each edge at a distance measured from each cartridge's front panel and are arranged so that fastener devices of different sexes are opposite one another along edges partially defined by a common adjoining wall segment. In accordance with a preferred method, a plurality of cartridges are pressed together to releasably engage the opposite-sex fastener devices of adjacent cartridges to create a desired modular orientation of cartridges which may, subsequently, be rearranged in a different orientation.

I claim: 
     
       1. A product dispenser, comprising: a first sleeve member including four adjoined wall segments surrounding and defining an open ended cavity;   a second sleeve member including four adjoined wall segments surrounding and defining an open ended cavity;   said first sleeve member occupying the cavity of said second sleeve member;   said first sleeve member and said second sleeve member being oriented relative to one another such that two of said wall segments of said first sleeve member are positioned in the open ends of said cavity of said second sleeve member, whereby the two sleeve members combine to form a six sided, rectilinear cartridge having an interior storage space defined by the cavity of the first sleeve member; and   an access port defined in one of said adjoined wall segments providing access to said interior storage space.   
     
     
       2. Dispenses of claim 1, further comprising product occupying said interior storage space. 
     
     
       3. Dispenser of claim 1 wherein, each of said four adjoined wall segments of said second sleeve member has an outer surface, and   said dispenser further comprises a plurality of fastener devices positioned on said outer surface of each of said four adjoined wall segments of said second sleeve member, whereby the dispenser is releasably attachable to a similarly constructed dispenser abutting the dispenser.   
     
     
       4. A product display, comprising: a plurality of self supporting cartridges, each said cartridge of said plurality of cartridges abutting, at least, one other of said cartridges of said plurality of cartridges;   each said cartridge of said plurality of cartridges comprising, at least, a first sleeve member including four adjoined wall segments surrounding and defining an open ended cavity,   a second sleeve member including four adjoined wall segments surrounding and defining an open ended cavity, each of said four adjoined wall segments having an outer surface,   said first sleeve member occupying said cavity of said second sleeve member,   said first sleeve member and said second sleeve member being oriented relative to one another such that two of said wall segments of said first sleeve member are positioned in the open ends of said cavity of said second sleeve member, whereby the two sleeve members combine to form a six sided, rectilinear cartridge having an interior storage space defined by the cavity of the first sleeve member,   an access port defined in one of said adjoined wall segments providing access to said interior storage space and   a plurality of fastener devices positioned on said outer surface of each of said four wall members of said second sleeve member, whereby each cartridge is releasably attachable to each other cartridge;     wherein said plurality of fastener devices of each cartridge cooperates with said plurality of fastener devices of other cartridges to which it is abutting to effect a releasable connection therebetween.   
     
     
       5. Display of claim 4, further comprising product of varying types occupying said interior storage space of said other cartridges. 
     
     
       6. Display of claim 4, wherein said display comprises, at least, a first row of said cartridges including at least two of said cartridges abutting, wherein said first row of said cartridges is defined by two outermost adjoined wall segments of said cartridges, and wherein said display further comprises a stabilizer assembly interconnecting said two outermost adjoined wall segments of said cartridges. 
     
     
       7. Display of claim 6, wherein said stabilizer assembly comprises, at least, a first stablizer member abutting a first of said outermost wall members and a second stablilzer member abutting a second of said outermost wall members. 
     
     
       8. Display of claim 7, wherein said first stabilizer member and said second stabilizer member each includes, at least, a plurality of fastener devices positioned thereon, said plurality of fastener devices of said first stabilizer member cooperating with said plurality of fastener devices of said first of said outermost wall members to effect a releasable connection therebetween, and said plurality of fastener devices of said second stabilizer member cooperating with said plurality of fastener devices of said second of said outermost wall members to effect a releasable connection therebetween. 
     
     
       9. A product display, said product display comprising: a first cartridge;   a second cartridge abutting said first cartridge;   wherein each said cartridge includes, at least, a plurality of panels including, at least, a from panel and a back panel, said plurality of panels defining an outer surface and cavity of each said cartridge,   a first plurality of fastener devices having a first sex and being affixed on said outer surface of each said cartridge, and   a second plurality of fastener devices having a second sex and being affixed on said outer surface of each said cartridge;     wherein a portion of said first plurality of fastener devices of said first cartridge cooperate with a portion of said second plurality of fastener devices of said second cartridge and a portion of said second plurality of fastener devices of said first cartridge cooperate with a portion of said first plurality of fastener devices of said second cartridge to effect a releasable connection between said first and second cartridge; and   wherein said first cartridge is orientable relative to said second cartridge in a first plurality of orientations and a second plurality of orientations, said front panel of said first cartridge being adjacent to said front panel of said second cartridge in each orientation of said first plurality of orientations, said front panel of said first cartridge being adjacent to said back panel of said second cartridge in each orientation of said second plurality of orientations,   whereby the first and second cartridge are disconnectable and are reconnectable in any orientation of the first and second pluralities of orientations,   whereby the cavities of the first and second cartridges provide a container from which product is made accessible to a consumer.   
     
     
       10. The product display of claim 9 wherein, said plurality of panels of each said cartridge further includes, at least, a first side panel and a second side panel, and   said first and second cartridges define a first orientation of said first plurality of orientations wherein said first side panel of said first cartridge abuts and is releasably connected to said second side panel of said second cartridge.   
     
     
       11. The product display of claim 9 wherein, said plurality of panels of each said cartridge further includes, at least, a top panel and a bottom panel, and   said first and second cartridges define a first orientation of said first plurality of orientations wherein said top panel of said first cartridge abuts and is releasably connected to said bottom panel of said second cartridge.   
     
     
       12. The product display of claim 9 wherein, said plurality of panels of each said cartridge further includes, at least, a first side panel and a second side panel, and   said first and second cartridges define a first orientation of said second plurality of orientations wherein said first side panel of said first cartridge abuts and is releasably connected to said first side panel of said second cartridge.   
     
     
       13. The product display of claim 9 wherein, said plurality of panels of each said cartridge further includes, at least, a top panel and a bottom panel, and   said first and second cartridges define a first orientation of said second plurality of orientations wherein said top panel of said first cartridge abuts and is releasably connected to said bottom panel of said second cartridge.   
     
     
       14. The product display of claim 9 wherein, said first sex of said first plurality of fastener devices is male, and   said second sex of said second plurality of fastener devices is female.   
     
     
       15. The product display of claim 9 wherein, said first plurality of fastener devices include hook-type fastener devices, and   said second plurality of fastener devices include loop-type fastener devices.   
     
     
       16. The product display of claim 9 wherein, said plurality of panels of each cartridge of said first and second cartridges defines a plurality of edges extending between said front panel and said back panel of the respective said cartridge, and   each fastener device of said first and second pluralities of fastener devices of each cartridge of said first and second cartridges overlaps an edge of said plurality of edges of the respective said cartridge.   
     
     
       17. The product display of claim 16 wherein, a fastener device of said first plurality of fastener devices of each cartridge of said first and second cartridges and a fastener device of said second plurality of fastener devices of each cartridge of said first and second cartridges overlaps each edge of said plurality of edges of the respective said cartridge. 
     
     
       18. The product display of claim 9 wherein, said product display further includes, at least, a stabilizer extending beneath said first cartridge, said stabilizer having a fastener device and a means for limiting movement of said stabilizer relative to a support surface, and said fastener device cooperates with a fastener device of said first plurality of fastener devices of said first cartridge, whereby movement of the product display relative to the support surface on which it rests is limited.   
     
     
       19. A product display, said product display comprising: a first cartridge including, at least, a plurality of adjoining wall panels defining an outer surface and a cavity, wherein a wall panel of said plurality of adjoining wall panels has a first edge and a second edge partially bounding said wall panel, said first edge opposing said second edge,   a first fastener positioned along and overlapping said first edge, said first fastener having a first sex, and   a second fastener positioned along and overlapping said second edge, said second fastener having a second sex,   whereby the first cartridge contains product for removal by a consumer;     a second cartridge including, at least, a plurality of adjoining wall panels defining an outer surface and a cavity, wherein a wall panel of said plurality of adjoining wall panels has a first edge and a second edge partially bounding said wall panel, said first edge opposing said second edge,   a first fastener positioned along and overlapping said first edge, said first fastener having a second sex, and   a second fastener positioned along and overlapping said second edge, said second fastener having a first sex,   whereby the second cartridge contains product for removal by a consumer;     wherein said first cartridge abuts said second cartridge, said wall panel of said plurality of adjoining wall panels of said first cartridge being adjacent said wall panel of said plurality of adjoining wall panels of second first cartridge, said first edge of said first cartridge being adjacent said first edge of said second cartridge and said second edge of said first cartridge being adjacent said second edge of said second cartridge; and   wherein said first fastener of said first cartridge releasably mates with said first fastener of said second cartridge and said second fastener of said first cartridge releasably mates with said second fastener of said second cartridge.   
     
     
       20. The product display of claim 19 wherein, said first edge of said first cartridge has a first end, said first fastener of said first cartridge being fixedly positioned at a location relative to said first end,   said first edge of said second cartridge has a first end, said first fastener of said second cartridge being fixedly positioned at a location relative to said first end, and   said location of said first fastener of said first cartridge opposes said location of said first fastener of said second cartridge.   
     
     
       21. The product display of claim 20 wherein, said second edge of said first cartridge has a first end, said second fastener of said first cartridge being fixedly positioned at a location relative to said first end,   said second edge of said second cartridge has a first end, said second fastener of said second cartridge being fixedly positioned at a location relative to said first end, and   said location of said second fastener of said first cartridge opposes said location of said second fastener of said second cartridge.   
     
     
       22. The product display of claim 21 wherein, said location of said first fastener of said first cartridge defines a first distance measured between said first end of said first edge and said location,   said location of said second fastener of said first cartridge defines a second distance measured between said first end of said second edge and said location, and   said first distance and said second distance are equivalent.   
     
     
       23. The product display of claim 19 wherein, said first cartridge further includes, at least, a third fastener positioned along and overlapping said first edge, said third fastener having a second sex, and   a fourth fastener positioned along and overlapping said second edge, said fourth fastener having a first sex,     said second cartridge further includes, at least, a third fastener positioned along and overlapping said first edge, said third fastener having a first sex, and   a fourth fastener positioned along and overlapping said second edge, said fourth fastener having a second sex, and     said third fastener of said first cartridge releasably mates with said third fastener of said second cartridge and said fourth fastener of said first cartridge releasably mates with said fourth fastener of said second cartridge.   
     
     
       24. The product display of claim 23 wherein, said first edge of said first cartridge has a first end, said third fastener of said first cartridge being fixedly positioned at a location relative to said first end,   said first edge of said second cartridge has a first end, said third fastener of said second cartridge being fixedly positioned at a location relative to said first end, and   said location of said third fastener of said first cartridge opposes said location of said third fastener of said second cartridge.   
     
     
       25. The product display of claim 24 wherein, said second edge of said first cartridge has a first end, said fourth fastener of said first cartridge being fixedly positioned at a location relative to said first end,   said second edge of said second cartridge has a first end, said fourth fastener of said second cartridge being fixedly positioned at a location relative to said first end, and   said location of said fourth fastener of said first cartridge opposes said location of said fourth fastener of said second cartridge.   
     
     
       26. The product display of claim 25 wherein, said location of said third fastener of said first cartridge defines a first distance measured between said first end of said first edge and said location,   said location of said fourth fastener of said first cartridge defines a second distance measured between said first end of said second edge and said location, and   said first distance and said second distance are equivalent.   
     
     
       27. The product display of claim 19 wherein, said first fastener of said first cartridge is a hook type fastener,   said second fastener of said first cartridge is a loop type fastener,   said first fastener of said second cartridge is a loop type fastener, and   said second fastener of said second cartridge is a hook type fastener.   
     
     
       28. The product display of claim 23 wherein, said third fastener of said first cartridge is a loop type fastener,   said fourth fastener of said first cartridge is a hook type fastener,   said third fastener of said second cartridge is a hook type fastener, and   said fourth fastener of said second cartridge is a loop type fastener.   
     
     
       29. The product display of claim 19 wherein, said first cartridge further includes, at least, a front panel,   said second cartridge further includes, at least, a front panel, and   said front panel of said first cartridge is adjacent said front panel of said second cartridge.   
     
     
       30. The product display of claim 19 wherein, said first cartridge further includes, at least, a front panel,   said second cartridge further includes, at least, a back panel, and   said front panel of said first cartridge is adjacent said back panel of said second cartridge.   
     
     
       31. The product display of claim 19 wherein, said product display further includes, at least, a stabilizer extending beneath said first cartridge, said stabilizer having a fastener device and a means for limiting movement of said stabilizer relative to a support surface, and   said fastener device releasably mates with said first fastener device of said first cartridge, whereby movement of the product display relative to the support surface on which it rests is limited.   
     
     
       32. The product display of claim 19 wherein, said first edge of said first cartridge has a first end and a second end, said first and second ends defining a first cartridge depth therebetween,   said first edge of said second cartridge has a first end and a second end, said first and second ends defining a second cartridge depth therebetween, and   said first cartridge depth is different from said second cartridge depth.   
     
     
       33. A product dispenser, comprising: a plurality of adjoining wall panels defining an external surface and an internal cavity of said product dispenser, each pair of adjoining wall panels defining an edge therebetween, said edge being one edge of a plurality of edges;   a first plurality of fastener devices having a first sex;   a second plurality of fastener devices having a second sex;   wherein each fastener device of said first and second pluralities of fastener   devices is secured on said external surface of said product dispenser; and   wherein each adjoining wall panel of said plurality of adjoining wall panels is partially bounded by a first edge and a second edge of said plurality of edges, said first edge being overlapped by a first fastener device of said first plurality of fastener devices and said second edge being overlapped by a first fastener device of said second plurality of fastener devices;   whereby the internal cavity provides a container from which product is removed by a consumer.   
     
     
       34. The product dispenser of claim 33, wherein said first fastener device of said first plurality of fastener devices opposes said first fastener device of said second plurality of fastener devices. 
     
     
       35. The product dispenser of claim 33 wherein, said product dispenser further includes, at least, a from panel and a back panel displaced from said front panel,   each edge of said plurality of edges extends between said from panel and said back panel, and   said first fastener device of said first plurality of fastener devices and said first fastener device of said second plurality of fastener devices are positioned at a uniform distance from said front panel.   
     
     
       36. The product dispenser of claim 33 wherein, a second fastener device of said second plurality of fastener devices overlaps said first edge of each adjoining wall panel, and   a second fastener device of said first plurality of fastener devices overlaps said second edge of each adjoining wall panel.   
     
     
       37. The product dispenser of claim 36 wherein, said product dispenser further includes, at least, a from panel and a back panel displaced from said front panel,   each edge of said plurality of edges extends between said from panel and said back panel, and   said second fastener device of said first plurality of fastener devices and said second fastener device of said second plurality of fastener devices are positioned at a uniform distance from said front panel.   
     
     
       38. The product dispenser of claim 36, wherein said second fastener device of said first plurality of fastener devices opposes said second fastener device of said second plurality of fastener devices. 
     
     
       39. The product dispenser of claim 33, wherein each fastener device of said first and second pluralities of fastener devices is a non-penetrating, surface mountable fastener. 
     
     
       40. The product dispenser of claim 33 wherein, each fastener device of said first plurality of fastener devices is a hook type fastener, and   each fastener device of said second plurality of fastener devices is a loop type fastener.